blue (book one) - h.s. ✔️ watty's 2019

chapter 107 - like clockwork

I've just finished burping Nolan after his seventh feeding today. I'd like to say that I have a pretty good understanding of his clockwork by now. On average, he goes through about eight to nine diapers a day. My day starts at around seven o'clock give or take a few minutes. Nolan is usually just waking up around then and is always hungry. I prepare his bottle and feed and burp him before setting him up in his movable cradle. Harry's always still sleep by the time I've gotten Nolan situated, so the next slot of time is dedicated to waking him up to get ready for work.

Reluctantly but compliantly he heads to the shower to get ready for his time at the warehouse. By the time he's up and ready for the shower, it's time for wet diaper change number one for Nolan. Breakfast normally consists of eggs, bacon, sausage, and waffles, but today I had to substitute eggs for fried potatoes. I have yet to find time to go to the grocery. With the time that I have in between Nolan's first wet diaper change and his first nap time, I'll gussy up just enough to look presentable for the day - it's really my only alone time throughout the day not spent working or resting. Thanks to the infant-to-toddler cradle I ordered online a few weeks ago I have peace of mind when getting ready. Before, as any caring parent would, I had extreme anxiety when leaving him in a room alone - the baby monitor never left my hands. But now, I'm able to do everything with him sitting comfortably right in the frame of the bathroom door. Harry's out for work before nine most days, so I don't really get to spend time with him until nighttime and normally he's pretty exhausted. Since I've first taken Nolan as my own, I have been using so many of the techniques my mom used on me as an infant. In order for him to wind down after a good feeding and a little play time, I wrap him securely with one to two comfortable blankets like a cocoon and gently rock him while he's in his crib, sucking on his pacifier.

After about two additional hours it's time to wake up the sleeping boy for his second feeding. I mostly just pepper his entire little face with kisses and utter sweet nothings until his long eyelashes flutter. I'm not sure why, but always after first nap time it's almost impossible to get the little boy to burp. It takes me three to four patient attempts before he belches loudly. Once wet diaper number two is in the trash, I make a small, comfortable area for the both of us on the living room floor before running a baby brush over his blonde hairs and a lotion over his entire body. Tummy time follows right after to help him build strength in his neck muscles and then right after that is second nap time. This nap time is my favorite only because I get to go outside. With Nolan secured in Harry's kangaroo pouch I take a small walk around the nearby park enjoying nature. As expected, Nolan's always fast asleep and manages to stay sleep despite the sudden outbursts of loudness that occurs around the park. Feeding number three and tummy time number two always come a little after noon. This is when he's most hyper wanting to play with and look at everything around him. When he doesn't get what he wants; however, he breaks out into a fit of cries. If it weren't for my mom's four S's for handling a crying baby, I'd for sure go crazy and give up. Swaddle, soothe, sway, and shush. Again, I wrap him up in a cocoon-like fold and soothe and shush him by giving him his pacifier. Picking him up, I walk around the small apartment gently rocking him to serenity. A lot of times after he's fed or if he's tired, I'll place him in this Fisher-Price swing that came with the baby proofing service right beside me so that I can keep an eye on him. This is my time to begin school work as he'll pretty much remain quiet, entertaining himself or napping for a short while. In this time, I also take a small nap myself and clean and wash soon right after. Feeding four, wet diaper four, and burp rag number three all make an appearance a little after three o'clock. Nolan is pretty sedate around this time of the day only looking to be paid attention while he's in his rocker. Today, as it is wash day, I sat right beside him folding his and Harry's clothes and crunching numbers that trouble me. Dirty diaper number one comes around this time. Tummy time number three, nap time number four, and feeding number five all take place as soon as I'm finished with laundry and dishes. For the second time in my busy day I'll eat. I chow down on nothing larger than a grilled cheese sandwich and some unhealthy potato chips, saving my efforts for a big dinner. Tummy time number four starts right after Harry comes home from work at around six thirty.

"Okay, Nolan. Watch closely. Daddy's going to teach you how to get whatever you want from your other daddy. If you remember this technique, you'll be set for life," he starts at the baby that's smiling up at him on his tummy. I think that it's safe to say that everyone loves when Harry comes home. He continues babbling at the baby before whispering something into his ear. Nolan's face lights up probably at the rush of wind entering his ear before Harry backs away content.

"Don't ever forget that, young one," he jokes, smiling stupidly at the bubbly baby.

"What's for dinner?" he bounces up to his feet,
kissing me on the head before walking into the bedroom. I pick up Nolan allowing him to play with my index finger as I follow him into the back room.

"Chinese."

"Ooh," he exclaims excitedly as he slips his dirty work shirt over his head and onto the floor. I cringe at the action but bite my tongue. It's not like anything will change.

"Did you get the little square, paper boxes this time?"

I nod.

"And the chopsticks?" he gushes, looking like he's about to explode. I smile small as I answer a small 'yes', and toss a burping cover over my shoulder.

"You're the best."

With a small kiss on my cheek, he saunters out of the bedroom and into the living room leaving a clothes trail behind him. I'll deal with that later. I'd like to think that caring for a baby has made me much more patient and understanding.

Between six and eight at night is when Nolan requires the most attention in my opinion. A time that I like to call "fussy time" takes place and it's more or less filled with a lot of feeding and small outbursts. This is when he feeds the most. He typically likes to cluster feed right before bedtime so that he gets a good night's rest. It works out for all of us. With feeding number seven checked off the list, I like to run a nice, clean and warm moist towel over his body on the days he doesn't bathe with me and Harry in the tub. As always, I run his baby brush over the top of his head and harmless lotion all over his pudgy body. Removing dirty diaper number two and feeding eight are usually all that it takes before he's more than ready to go nighty night for the day - give or take the occasional spit up.